Comptroller Peter Franchot, considered one of the leading prospective Democratic candidates for governor in 2014, said Dec. 11 that he will not run that race and will instead seek a third term in his current office.

A few hours after Franchot's announcement, District 21 Sen. Jim Rosapepe, who was among those who had expressed an interest in running for comptroller if Franchot ran for governor, issued his own statement, saying he intends to seek re-election to the state Senate in 2014.

In the released statement, Rosapepe, a Democrat from College Park, said, "With my friend Comptroller Peter Franchot's announcement today that he intends to run for re-election in 2014, I am announcing my intent to run for re-election to the Maryland Senate. ... While my interest in serving as Maryland Comptroller is undiminished, I look forward to continuing to serve the people of the 21st District, and of the state, in the Maryland Senate."